Is this normal ?

[Barngodess]

When I got home from work today, I noticed the bees sort of "hanging out" at the entrance. They were flying in and out, but some were just hangin out.... then I noticed this one, on the ground, acting strange. Is this a sign of something ? A disease, or what ??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBLnooXMqng

Melissa
;)

[Moonshae]

I often see a few of these, I've assumed they were worn out foragers unable to keep flying.

[pdmattox]

could also be a sign of mites, but like the worn out forager theory better.

[Barngodess]

thanks for the reponses......  I am hoping it is a worn out forager too then..... glad to hear someone else has seen this.  THANKS !

Melissa
;)

[UtahBees]

I've actually seen this at my hive too. The ones that I've observed eventually crawl back into the hive. I've seen them like this also some 20 feet away from the hive too (but I gave up watching those to see if they'd make it back).

I figured in the end, it was the circle of life if they made it back or not. I have a lot of eggs in my hive, so I figure that I could stand to lose a few and not have the natural on-goings of the hive too effected.

Great video!!

[pdmattox]

They also may be loaded down heavy and just can't make the landing just right. ;)

[LocustHoney]

I too have these. My son feels so sorry for them and puts them back in the hive. Most of them go right back down. I told him that they were on their last days and this was the end of their road.

[JP]

If its just a few here or there I wouldn't be too concerned, but if you see this on a regular basis, you could have a problem worth delving in deeper.

[Understudy]

Those are old bees. They are going to perish soon. They wander on the ground until they die. Or in my case a toad eats them.

Sincerely,
Brendhan